The Starved Rock Radio Club (SRRC) meets on the first Monday of every month, unless otherwise scheduled, at 7:00 p.m. at the SRRC clubhouse in Leonore, IL. Weekly club nets are held on the SRRC repeater (W9MKS) every Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. The W9MKS repeater operates on a frequency of 147.120 MHz (+ 103.5 PL). The Starved Rock Radio Club is an official ARRL affiliated club. ________________________________________________________________________________
The Presidents Corner
The July meeting proved too close to a holiday for a good turnout. We still had an enthusiastic crowd and we were able to accomplish some business. The Tabor Grain agreement continues to progress to the point that we may have a special meeting in July to vote on it. Stay tuned for time and date. In this issue of Static there is a copy of the modified proposal we have been sending back and forth, look at it before the lawyers get involved. Those of us who showed up to field day had an excellent time in spite of the weather. We came close to our goal of 2000 points thanks to Joe (KB9EZZ) and those free points.
I plan on doing a little show and tell demonstration at the August meeting. I would always like to do something in addition to just conducting business at every meeting. Bring your favorite radio toy and tell us why we should have one of our very own.
One of our field day participants has offered to teach us Red Cross classes (first aid, CPR, ETC.), if we can get at least six people to sign up. We can have them at the clubhouse or maybe the 4H building. Let me know if you are interested.
73 for now. This is KB9JTL and I'll be listening!
mgebhardt@tsf.net
The following is the copy of the most recent proposed
draft of the Tabor Grain Agreement as modified on July 7th, 2000.
This submission for Static is per Mark (KB9JTL).
To: Jeff Mauck
Tabor Grain Co.
From: Mark Gebhardt
Starved Rock Radio Club (SRRC)
The following is a list of items the Starved Rock Radio Club feels are important to consider when granting an easement to Tabor Grain to construct a roadway on our property. We are willing to agree to a permanent easement with the following terms:
1. Tabor grain to cover the liability insurance and any damage to our facilities or property both during construction and throughout the term of the easement.
2. Tabor Grain to construct and maintain the road according to any applicable standards and codes. The road should be paved within three years of construction. While the road is gravel adequate dust control measures will be taken.
3. At the termination of this easement the roadway will be removed and replaced with grass.
4. Tabor Grain will be responsible for locating and moving any or all utilities including the septic tank and leach field if necessary.
5. Tabor Grain to supply an antenna site for our VHF repeater antenna. This site should be at the top of the leg or other suitable point above other structures for a full 360 degree unobstructed view of the horizon. A suitable 10Æ x 6Æ climate controlled (55-75 degrees) equipment area with 24hr access for our repeater equipment. This equipment room will need to be as close to the leg as possible to minimize the length of cable between the antenna and equipment. The equipment room will be equipped with minimum120 VAC (30 amp) and a phone line. SRRC will pay the phone bill for this line. Certain SRRC club members will be allowed to climb the leg for antenna maintenance at times coordinated with the Tabor Grain site manager.
6. SRRC club members can use this road for both parking and for tower maintenance except during Tabor Grain regular business hours. Any exceptions will be coordinated with the Tabor Grain site manager in advance.
7. Tabor Grain will install and maintain safety posts along the south side of our building for protection of our tower and equipment. The present guy wire supports will also be raised if necessary for adequate clearance for trucks using the roadway.
8. Tabor Grain will reimburse SRRC for supplies to change our facilities and offset costs associated with this equipment move. A yearly donation of $500 will also be made to the SRRC for the duration of this agreement if the repeater site becomes unusable or unavailable for the needs of the SRRC.
9. Tabor Grain will agree to maintain the grounds which remain around the clubhouse.
__________________________________________________________________
MINUTES OF THE STARVED ROCK RADIO CLUB MEETING JULY 3, 2000
The meeting was called to order by the President, Mark (KB9JTL) at 7:05 PM. There were 13 members and 1 guest present.
Mark opened the meeting by explaining the differences between the document received from Tabor Grain and the document we sent to them. We are resubmitting the document with some small changes for their approval.
Jesse (KB9TMA) gave his equipment report. Mark will pick up the HF beam in Mansfield IL. Kurt (KB9RKU) is going to be using the 2M Ringo in the attic for the packet BBS. We tentatively set up an antenna party for the first Saturday after the August meeting. Jesse also gave the Net and Activities reports.
Mark read the minutes of the June meeting, and they were approved.
The treasurer, Francis (WB9VLW) gave his report. The hamfest profit to date $x,xxx.xx, which is up more than $xxx from last year. Congratulations to the hamfest committee.
Joe KB9EZZ, gave the field day report. We had 50 contacts on 80 meters, 74 contacts on 40 meters, 21 contacts on 20 meters, 63 contacts on 15 meters, 100 contacts on 10 meters, and 66 contacts on 6 meters, for a total point score of 1968. We were just short of our goal of 2000. The group commended Joe on a job well done as field day chairman. We agreed not to send a donation to Mendota ESDA this year since their services were not needed and instead increase the food budget for next year. Bill (N9HON), is going to secure a site in the same location for next year. We are going to also investigate another site as well.
NEW BUSINESS
We voted to give the Leonore Fire Department a donation of $100.
Joe was elected to be the Static editor in August after Jesse resigns to go to ISU.
Jerry (N9ZJK) was appointed to be the Hamfest chairman for the 2001 hamfest.
We agreed to send a renewal letter, in December, to the non-members who receive complimentary copies of Static to see if they are interested in continuing their subscription. We also agreed to renew honorary members in March of each year.
The meeting was then adjourned.
ARES and Public Service Reports
LaSalle Station will have a drill Wednesday October 4th from 9am to 3 p.m. Hams have helped support communications during the last two exercises--with many compliments from the Federal Emergency Management Agency!
Is your photo ID up-to-date?
Security at LaSalle Station has agreed to take your picture and laminate it to your ARES ID card or Ham License. They are expecting us the third week in July (17-21) between 9am and 2pm.
I made a copy of my license (make it about the same size as a credit card) and they snapped a photo and laminated it to the license. Looks great. You can do the same with your ARES ID.
73 and thanks
Joe (KB9EZZ)
A big thanks to all who helped with the USCF bicycle race in Ottawa on Saturday, July 1st. We had 8 hams representing both ARES and SRRC turn out to help with the race, and the event went over as a success, with no major problems. A great job was done by one and all.
Jesse (KB9TMA)
____________________________________________________________
The Calendar of Upcoming Events
*** The Fox River Radio Leagues annual Sugar Grove Hamfest will be held on Sunday, July 23rd 2000. The hamfest will be held at Waubonsee Community College, Rte 47 at Harter Rd., 5 miles NW of Aurora. The hamfest officially opens to the public at 8 AM, and there will be a VE exam session beginning at 10 AM (remember to bring original and copy of license, photo ID and $6.65). Admission to the hamfest is $4.00 in advance or $5.00 at the door. For tickets or other information contact Maurice Schietecatte (W9CEO), c/o FRRL, Box 673, Batavia, IL 60510, 815-786-2860, w9ceo@arrl.net.
*** The 2000 ARRL UHF Contest will be held the first full weekend of August. The contest begins 1800 UTC Saturday, and ends 1800 UTC Sunday (August 5-6, 2000). You may use as much of this time as you wish. The object of the contest is to work as many amateur stations in as many 2 x 1 grid squares as possible, using authorized amateur radio frequencies above 222 MHz, and all authorized modes of emission. No partial QSOs allowed, and no contacts made by re-transmitting either one or both stations, whether by satellite or terrestrial means. Frequencies regularly occupied by a repeater are forbidden from usage, even if the repeater is off! E-mail your logs and properly completed summary sheets to AugustUHF@arrl.org, or snail mail them to August UHF Contest, ARRL. 225 Main St, Newington. CT 06111. Deadline for log submission is Tuesday September 5, 2000 GOOD LUCK!!!!!
*** The next monthly social dinner/meeting hosted by the Streator Amateur Radio Club will be held on Saturday, August 5th at 5:30 p.m. The dinner will be held at Chipper's Grill, route 23 north in Streator. This dinner/meeting is open to everyone to attend. Reservations to attend need to be made on or before Thursday, August 3rd. To make reservations, contact KB9TMA on the air, or by telephone, at (815) 673-1023. You can also make reservations by contacting Jim (N9PLM).
*** There will be an antenna party at the SRRC clubhouse, tentatively scheduled at this time for Saturday, August 12th at 9:30 AM. (In case of inclement weather or other unforeseen problem, the antenna party will be rescheduled for August 19th at 9:30 AM). We will be working on getting the existing HF beam replaced, as well as taking down the 2 meter beam that is also inoperable. We could use everyoneÆs help, so please stop out if at all possible. Stay tuned to the club nets if any cancellations are necessary.
*** There will be a VE testing session again in September, during national VE Test Week. The testing site will again be at the Ottawa 4H building. Stay tuned, as more details will be forthcoming from Joe (KB9EZZ) at a later date.
Going to a hamfest???? How about grabbing some club
flyers for our 2001 hamfest, and dropping them off at the information table.
Try and sell a few advanced tickets to the 2001 show as well!!!
Editorial
Well, hello again to all of you. Quite a few changes have taken place in my schedule, including an unforeseen family emergency, which will force me to step down as Static editor one month earlier than I had originally anticipated. Therefore, this will be my last issue as editor of Static, as Joe (KB9EZZ) will step up to bat beginning next month. While I feel I have made fair progress in adding to the success in the publication process of Static during my short term as editor, and I would like to get all information forwarded to Joe to let those of you who wished to receive Static via e-mail begin doing so ASAP. Other than this ongoing project, I have no other report for this month relating to the newsletter its-self. I am happy to have served as editor, and pleased to report that I have received no complaints regarding content or publication thereof.
As many of you know, I will be leaving to continue my schooling in Mid-August. My travels will take me to Illinois State University in Bloomington, to continue my education to become a certified secondary education (high school) social science teacher. Due to the complexity of this schedule, I doubt I will be able to take much of any active role in the club, at least for the next several years.
My only closing remarks I wish to leave everyone is my growing concern over the lack of participation in not only our own club related activities, but public service/ham radio oriented events in our immediate area. Remember the main reason that the FCC has continued to defend amateur radio, and allow it to occupy so much of the radio spectrum, is because of this major role that we amateur radio operators are expected to play in assisting with public service activities. This assistance is expected to be provided at no cost to anyone, and on a voluntary basis. Now, I fully realize that many of you have very busy schedules or health related problems, and are unable to assist at many public service events involving the assistance of amateur radio communications, but please try and help whenever and wherever if at all possible! It is getting very hard to effectively coordinate large-scale bicycle races and other such marathons in this area, with only a handful of people. If a lack of response on the part of participation with such public service events such as marathons, disaster drills, weather watch nets and etc. continue, I feel our hobby may become the target of increasing pressure to justify the use of our large occupation of the radio spectrum.
In closing, please get more active if you have not done so already. Get on the air (6 meters has been quite active lately), come to a club meeting, check into the nets, Elmer a new person into the hobby, and come on down and help with the next public service event. Our hobby is depending on everyoneÆs participation to keep it alive and growing.
If you have any questions, concerns or complaints regarding my performance as editor these past few months, or with any other general comments/questions, please feel free to get into contact with me. My home phone number is (815) 673-1023, and my e-mail address is kb9tma@yahoo.com.
That's it for my tenure,
73's and best regards to all
Jesse L. Risley (KB9TMA)